Vent



Oct. 8, 1935. Q EHLERS 2,016,278

VENT

Filed April 12, 1934 TEE- 1 2- Z9 Z8 hid 2 8 INVENTOR Carl E Efilers 7// Ill/l k is ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 VENT Carl H. Ehlers, Penfield, Pa., assignor to The Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 12, 1934, Serial No. 720,301

20 Claims. (Cl. 220-44) This invention relates to vent devices or safety valves for liquid receptacles and more particularly adapted for vehicle tanks employed in the transportation of liquid fuels or the like.

In order to facilitate filling and emptying receptacles of the type above referred to, there should be a vent for discharging or admitting air to relieve the pressure or vacuum which would otherwise develop. This vent should also be operative to discharge air or vapor or to admit air to compensate for any change of pressure in the receptacle due either to normal temperature changes under ordinary operating conditions or to abnormal temperature changes due, for example, to exterior fire and quenching of the fire by a water stream. The vent should further be operative normally to prevent escape of liquid in the case of partial or complete overturning of the vehicle on which the receptacle is mounted but to permit escape of liquid in the event that the vehicle catches fire resulting in the subjection of the liquid to excessive temperature with consequent pressure increase in the receptacle due to evaporation of the liquid.

An object of this invention is a simple and efilcient vent device meeting the above enumerated requirements and which is of compact construction, is reliable in operation and in which the various parts are easy of access for inspection or replacement.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axial section through a vent device embodying the invention, with the movable parts in the position normally occupied by them; and

Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive are views similar to Fig. 1, showing the parts in positions assumed under different conditions of usage.

The casing of the vent device consists of a body portion I0 provided with threads II by which it may be attached to a tank and with threads I2 which coact with threads on the cap I3 to attach the latter to the body I0, thus forming the complete casing. The cap I3 is provided with ports I4 and with an inwardly projecting flange I5.

The body portion ID has a central cylindrical bore terminating at its lower end in an inwardly projecting flange I6 and is provided with a plurality of axially extending ribs I I which guide tubular valve member I8 mounted in the body III to slide axially thereof, this member being of larger diameter than the interior diameter of the flange I6 so that the latter acts as a valve seat for held against the flange I9 by means of a spring 22 interposed between the web and the flange 20. The member I 8 is provided with inwardly extending ribs 23 which act as guides for the web 2|.

The apertures in the web 2I are normally closed 10 by a plate 24 provided with a shank 25 extending through a central aperture in the web. A spring 26 interposed between the web and a nut 21 on the end of the shank 25 normally tends to hold the plate 24 against the web 2|. 15

During drainage of the tank to which the vent device is attached, the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 2 to permit air to enter and relieve vacuum which would otherwise develop. The plate 24 is pulled down away from the web 2|, 20 the spring 26 being compressed and air flows inwardly through the port I4 and downwardly through the member I8 and through the apertures in the web into the tank. Should vacuum develop in the tank by reason of cooling of its 25 contents, the vacuum will be relieved by the entrance of air in the manner just described.

Fig. 3 shows the position assumed by the parts during filling of the tank to which the vent device is attached to permit air to escape and thus 30 relieve the pressure which would otherwise develop in the tank. The member I8 is lifted against gravity, thus permitting air to flow through the central aperture in the body and through the space between the member I8 and the 35 inner surface of the casing I0 into the cap and then outwardly through the ports I4. Should pressure develop in the tank by reason of evaporation, the pressure' will be relieved by escape of gas in the manner just described.

In the event of a surge of liquid in the receptacle due to stopping or starting of the vehicle by which the receptacle is carried, escape of liquid is prevented by the member I8 which is of sumcient weight normally to remain seated under 45 such conditions and the strength of the spring 22 is sufficient to keep the web seated. The member I8 may be lifted away from its seat I6 by a very heavy or abnormal surge, but will be so lifted only a very small distance and only momentarily. Resistance of the member I8 against outward flow of liquid is so great as to permit only very little liquid to flow into the body I0 under an abnormal surge and none of such liquid would escape by way of the ports I4 but recede back into the receptacle,

Fig. 4 shows the position assumed by the various parts upon overturning of the tank to which the vent device is connected. The pressure of the .liquid in the tank, together with gravity, move the member l8 against the flange IS, the spring 22 being of suflicient strength to hold the web 2i in contact with the flange l9 against the pressure exerted by the liquid. Liquid is thus prevented from flowing into the cap I 3 and escaping through the ports l4. However, should excessive pressure tend to develop in the tank or receptacle by reason of abnormal evaporation due to exterior fire or any-other cause, such pressure will be relieved by movement of the web against the action of the spring 22 into the position shown in Fig. 5. In this position, fluid will flow through the bottom opening in the member I8 around the periphery of the web 2| and then into the cap l3 from which it will escape through the ports II. The web 2i may be similarly actuated with the vent device in upright position should excess pressure develop in the tank by reason of fire and the member l8 be lifted into contact with the flange I5 by reason of such excess pressure.

A single or multiple screen 28 is provided in the cap between the flange l5 and the top of the cap. This screen will effectively prevent passage of flame through the vent from the exterior of the tank into the interior thereof.

It is of course apparent that various modifications may be made in the structure above described, without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a closure member for one end of said valve member, and yieldable means tending to maintain said closure member in closed position.

2. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, an inwardly directed flange at one end of said valve member, a closure member engageable with said flange, and yieldable means tending to maintain said closure member in engagement with said flange.

3. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, an inwardly directed flange at one end of said valve member, a closure member arranged between said flange and the other'end of said valve member, and yieldable means tending to hold said closure in engagement with said flange.

4. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, inwardly directed flanges at opposite ends of said valve member, a closure member arranged between said flanges, and yieldable means interposed between one flange and said closure member tending to hold said closure member in engagement with the other flange.

5. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve memher, a closure member for one end of said valve member, yieldable means tending to maintain said closure member in closed position, said closure, member consisting of a web, a plate normally engaging said web, and resilient means'tending to oppose movement of said plate away from said 5 web.

6. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, 1 an inwardly directed flange at one end of said valve member, a closure member engageable with said flange, yieldable means tending to maintain said closure member in engagement with said flange, said closure member consisting of a web, 15 a plate normally engaging said web, and resilient means tending to oppose movement of said plate away from said web.

7. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially 20 movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, an inwardly directed flange at one end of said valve member, a closure member arranged between said flange and the other end of said 25 valve member, yieldable means tending to hold said closure in engagement with said flange, said closure member consisting of a web, a plate normally engaging said web, and resilient means tending to oppose movement of said plate away 0 from said web.

8. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said cylindrical 5 member, inwardly directed flanges at opposite ends of said cylindrical member, a closure member arranged between said flanges, yieldable means interposed between one flange and said closure member tending to hold said closure Inem- 40 ber in engagement with the other flange, said closure member consisting of a web, a plate normally engaging said web, and resilient means tending to oppose movement of said plate away from said Web.

9. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a two-part closure member normally closing 50 one end of said valve member, yieldable means tending to oppose unitary movement of said two parts out of closing position, and yieldable means tending to oppose relative movement 01' said two parts. 55

10. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, an inwardly directed flange at one end 60 of said valve member, a two-part closure membe! engageable with the flange, yieldable means tending to oppose unitary movement of the two parts away from said flange, and yieldable means tending to oppose relative movement of the two 65 parts.

11. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve mem- 7o ber, an inwardly directed flange at one end of said valve member, a two-part closure member arranged between said flange and the other end of the valve member, yieldable means tending to oppose unitary movement of the two parts away 75 from said flange, and yieldable means tending to oppose relative movement of the two parts.

12. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, inwardly directed flanges at opposite ends of said valve member, a two-part closure member arranged between said two flanges, yieldable means interposed between one flange and said closure member for normally holding said closure member in engagement with the other flange, and means tending to oppose relative movement or said two parts.

13. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having an inwardly directed flange at either end, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said cylindrical member, a closure member engageable with one flange, and yieldable means interposed between the other flange and the closure member.

14. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having an inwardly directed flange at either end, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a closure member engageable with one flange, yieldable means interposed between the other flange and the closure member, said closure member consisting of a web, a plate normally engaging said web, and yieldable means tending to oppose movement of said plate away from said web.

15. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having an inwardly directed flange at either end, a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a two-part closure member engageable with one flange, yieldable means interposed between the other flange and the closure member to oppose unitary movement of the two parts away from said flange, and yieldable means tending to oppose relative movement of said two parts.

16. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having an inwardly directed flange at either end, a pair 01' valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a closure member engageable with one flange, and yieldable means interposed between said closure member and the other flange, said closure member comprising a web having a cen- 5 tral aperture, a plate having a stem extending through said aperture, a stop on said stem, and resilient means interposed between said ,web and said stop.

17. In a vent device, a tubular member having 10 inwardly directed flanges at its ends, a web engageable with one flange and having a central aperture, yieldable means interposed between said web and the other flange, a plate engageable with said web and being movable relative 15 thereto, and means for opposing movement of said plate relative to said web.

18. In a vent device, a tubular member having inwardly directed flanges at its ends, a web engageable with one flange and having a central 20 aperture, yieldable means interposed between said web and the other flange, a plate engageable with said web and havinga stem extending through said central aperture, a stop on said stem, and resilient means interposed between 25 said web and said stop.

19. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having flanges at its ends,

a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable 30 by opposite ends of said valve member, a web engageable with one flange of said valve member, yieldable means interposed between said web and the other flange, a plate engageable with said web and being movable relative thereto and means for 35 opposing movement of said plate relative to said web.

20. A vent device for liquid receptacles comprising a casing, a tubular valve member axially movable therein and having flanges at its ends, 4 a pair of valve seats in said casing engageable by opposite ends of said valve member, a web engageable with one flange and having a central aperture, yieldable means interposed between said web and the other flange, a plate 5 engageable with said web and having a stem extending through said central aperture, a stop on said stem, and resilient means interposed between said stop and said web.

CARL H. EHLERS. 

